tweenwaters

wow....you traveled all the way to Dallas to have this surgery? Are you a self pay? Where did you have your surgery? Good luck on your journey everyone. I'm 2 weeks post-op and feeling great! I'm so happy with this decision and can't wait until Feb 28th for my first fill!! BTW....I live in TX now but grew up in NH. My in laws are retired and have a summer place in Bridgton, ME.

I am 2 weeks post-op and have been taking my "generic" claratin every day....no problems at all. I also take a Nexium purple capsule every morning. My surgeon prescribes it for most LB patients to help prevent reflux. I switched my Centrum multivitamin to a Centrum chewable....Hope this helps.

Yes...same Dr. David Kim from North Hills. My insurance denied my surgery. I had planned to have it done at North Hills with Dr. Kim.....went to his seminar this past September. Found TLC Edge and was thrilled to find that Dr. Kim is a participating surgeon for them too. He is AWESOME!!! I just had my 2 week post-op check up with Dr. Kim yesterday. Good luck on your journey!! BTW....I am self pay (TLC $9990) vs. North Hills Hospital cash price of $15K.....

My surgeon gave me Nexium to take for the next several months b/c of that very reason....reflux. Even though I 've never had reflux before....he said it's very common after banding and wanted me to use this med for the first 3-6 months. AWESOME job on your weight loss!!

Wow...that's quick to move to mushies. These doctors all vary so much it's hard to keep track of what we're suppsed to do next. I was banded to 17th, did clear liquids for 2 days, back to Optifast (3/day) with a creamy/strained Soup option, and start mushies at 2 weeks post-op which is this Thursday for me....YAY. glad to hear you're recovering really well from your band on Friday...that's wonderful! Don't try to do too much for the first week....let your body heal. My port in the only sore area still....wondering when that will stop bugging me? Probably never right? Oh well....

Congratulations and welcome to the otherside!! I was banded on the 17th and fell GREAT! Hang in there and remember to sip, sip, sip...no gulping your liquids. Take care and rest the next day or two and that will make a huge difference.

I also started driving again at one week post-op.....I probably could have driven sooner but wanted to be off the pain meds (even though I was only taking it at bedtime, I didn't feel good about driving yet)

Hi Angie~ Yes...I feel great! I did walk around my house A LOT the night of surgery and then the next 2-5 days. I never had any gas pain that others have stated. My biggest area of pain was the port incision. It bruised terribly and hurt big time....but I took the pain meds every 6 hours for the first 3 days (I think) and then only at bedtime. I've not taken anything for the past 3 days. My doctor also wants us up and walking as much as possible. I'm not ready to hit the gym or anything but taking nice long walk with my family and our dog are nice.... Today was such a beautiful day we walked and played outside for 2 hours. My shakes are going down easier....had two shakes today, 2 bottles of Vitamin Water, and a cup of tomato Soup. This is the first day I've had this much to eat/drink... Not because I'm feeling hungry but b/c I know I need the energy. *** thanks for checking on me!! best of luck to you on 2/19 *** Are you doing a 2 week pre-op? I'll be checking in on you along the way too! Take care!!

I can totally relate! This was my first surgery ever....so I had the same worries about being put to sleep and NOT waking up. My kids are a little older (9 & 11) but that was a HUGE fear of mine too. So I'm very happy to tell you that I made it through my surgery with flying colors on the 17th of January. You will be fine too! Tell your anesthesiologist your concerns and he/she will help you feel more as ease.....you will be able to talk to the nurses and most likely the doctors before your surgery. I was also afraid of being nauseous after waking up....I was a little bit and they gave me meds and it worked!!!

congratulations!! get some rest, sip your clear liquids and post your experiences when you're able to. great job!!!

Thank you everyone! That answers my questions perfectly. I have my first post-op check up on Feb 6th but the Surgeon said that I won't get my first fill until 7 weeks post-op. I appreciate all of your posts and input.

I have no idea what size band that I have....I guess I need to call my surgeon to find out huh? Can someone explain the difference in the sizes? I've read so many different sizes and not sure what the purpose is and what it all means...... my starting weight was 229. does weight matter? thanks a bunch!

United Health Care (at least our policy) has been horrible to deal with. I was not willing to wait a year to try to appeal and fight it. When I started this journey (pre-op) my weight was 229 ... I'm 5'6". My BMI was 37. I didn't want to stress my body (my back in particular) with gaining more to try to fight the insurance goons. This $9990 was a lot of money for us but my husband and I felt as though it was an investment in our future. We have two children and want to try to make sure that I am living long into our golden years when we can enjoy becoming grandparents together.... The only time in my life when my blood pressure was high was with each pregnancy. My chol has always been low-normal range. Even though I've been going to a chiropractor since August, and have had MRI's for knee pain and heal pain....insurance didn't care and still denied me. My PCP even wrote the insurance company a letter for me stating that if I didn't have this surgery weight problems would be what kills me at an early age. My parents are huge, a couple of my siblings are big....history or heart attacks, high BP, high chol....none of that mattered to the insurance company b/c "right now" I'm too healthy for surgery. They didn't care that I have been on every diet plan(Jenny craig, Nutrasystem, LAWeight Loss), taken phen-fen (before it was banned), etc.....over the past 15 years. I'm thrilled for those who can get this surgery covered through insurance...that's totally wonderful!! BUT...I decided to self-pay b/c it is that important to me. I want to be at a healthy weight and ride the amusement park rides with my kids, go horse back riding, wear a bathing suit this summer and not cover it up with shorts and a tshirt....my kids deserve to have a mom (I'm a stay at home mom) who can physically play with them and be a role model to them. Childhood obesity is rising faster then ever....and I will not let my kids fail like I have...so this is a win-win for everyone in my family. Again....worth ever penny. I'm 1 week, 2 days post-op and feel GREAT!!

Road King~ Just hoping that you're doing well after surgery. Been thinking of you every day checking this thread to see if you've posted an update. I'll check the January link too. There are a couple others who have found TLC and are hoping to hear your experiences as well. When you are feeling up to it, please let us know how it went and how you are feeling post-op. sending you good thoughts to a speedy healing.

It's not that daughter....Laila was on Dancing with the Stars. One of his other daughter's had the lapband....can't think of her name but I've read about her when I was initially googling info on LB surgery.

I think a bean burrito sounds great for when I hit the mushie stage....just not the tortilla...breads are a big no-no on my list of approved foods.

My list looks like yours Chrissann.....soft scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, egg salad, tuna salad, mashed potatos, refried beans, fruit without the skin (canned fruit, applesauce or soft banana). My doc says to avoid chicken & beef.

GNC sells clear liquid protein drinks.....ISOPURE....I think. I was only on clear liquids for 2 days post-op...then back to my Optifast shakes until my 2 week post-op and then can add mushies.... Hope this helps a little bit.

remember not to drink ANYTHING 30 minutes prior to meals and then an hour and a half afterwards. Those rules were given to me over and over at each of my initial dr. appointments. sounds like you're doing really well though....hang in there!!

Hi Doug (Cowboy) and Hi Minock!! So glad you found this link and that you're going with TLC..... I am one week post-op having been banded last Thursday 1/17/08. First of all, I love Dr. Kim...he is wonderful and I completely felt at ease knowing he was my surgeon. This was my first surgery...so I was scared to death about the thought...but Dr. Kim really made me feel safe and at ease. I can't say enough good things about everyone I've met at TLC and the Prestonwood surgery center. They were all very thoughtful and kind and made this difficult decision easier for me. Best of luck!!! Keep me posted on how you're doing along the way. Stacey

My BMI was 37....no other health related problems at all. However, I've been a yo-yo dieter for 20 years. I am turning 40 this spring and want to start enjoying my life, with my DH and 2 wonderful kids. I want to be successful at weight loss (reach my goal and maintain) instead of more diet failures. Both of my parents are SEVERLY OBESE, high BP, high Col...etc... Being denied by my insurance was a BUMP in the road. I am a self pay ($9990) and it was worth every penny. Today is my 1 week post-op anniversary. I'm down 20 lbs (including my 2 weeks pre-op). My recovery went GREAT. It is the light at the end of the tunnel for me.....I will reach my goal now.

I am also struggling to get in enough calories each day. I was banded on the 17th, so I'm 6 days post-op today. Here is what my daily menu looks like...... breakfast~ sip on crystal light (@ 24 ozs) 7am-10am lunch~ Optifast shake mid afternoon~ (@ 3pm) more sipping on crystal light dinner~ creamy tomato Soup (@ 6pm)....one of those hand held sip cups I can only tolerate about 2/3 of the container and feel FULL...gross full, actually. I need to get more energy somehow. Not sure what size my band is....I never asked. I do feel restriction and have to stop or risk feeling SICK. I'm extremely afraid of PB-ing.....so I really do not want to over do it. I'm on full liquids still.....for another week.

Good luck tomorrow!! Hang it there....you'll do fine.

Hang in there everyone....You will ALL do wonderful. I am 6 days post-op and feel almost back to normal today. If you get nauseous, like I usually do, make sure to tell them that while they are prepping you for surgery. They have a great med for your IV....and it will help you not feel nauseous when you wake up. It worked for me!! Best of luck to all of you and post updates when you are ready to share:)

I just wanted to send you good luck wishes for tomorrow. Looking forward to chatting with you later this week. You will do wonderful!!! Today is the best I've felt....so hang in there, you are just a week behind me. keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.